Self-waiting table



J. LAMB. SELF WAITING TABLE.

Patented Jan. 29, 1850 ra'rnn rrrcn.

JOSIAH LAMB, OF NEW LONDON, INDIANA.

SELF-WAITING TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 7,055, dated January 29, 1850.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSIAH LAMB, of New London, Howard county, Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement on Dining-Tables by Attaching Thereto a Self- Acting Dumb-Vaiter; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part of this specification, in which the table is represented in perspective and section for the purpose of showing a mode of operating the dumb-waiter.

The nature of my invention consists in making a dumb waiter automatic or self acting, by means of suitable mechanism, so that great convenience and security from accident, accrue to those partaking of meals at the table.

It will readily be perceived that but one servant need attend a table constructed on this plan, as, having placed the articles of food upon the dumb wait-er, the latter in its rotations successively presents whatever there may be thereon to the persons assembled around the table. They have only to reach forth and help themselves, as the article they desire is brought in front of them. They are thus secured from spillage and other accidents, so often accruing when they are waited on from behind.

The self acting waiter is equally con venient when empty cups or dishes are to be passed to the person in attendance.

In the accompanying drawing (a) is the frame of the table; (b), the top; (0), the leaves; (cl), the body and (e) the leaves of the dumb waiter.

is an opening in the top of the table, up through which passes the shaft This shaft fits into a square socket attached to the center of the dumb waiter. A square mortise is made in the center of the waiter, and a square opening in the bottom of the socket (71-) down through both of which a square on the foot of the addi-- tional shaft projects. The foot of the the cord is wound, a wheel similar to the balance wheel in clock work, is placed, in which palettes (0) work, to the shaft of which a pendulum (p) is hung, and which pendulum plays in a slot (Q) in the brace 7'). A gallows frame (r) is raised above the table, and into this frame the upper journal of the shaft plays. The shaft (5-) has a shoulder or collar (8) at its upper portion above which it is cylindrical, for the purpose of receiving the sleeve (25) that holds the handle (a) of the fan 0). Above the portion of the shaft (i) upon which the sleeve (6) plays the shaft is made square so as to receive gearing wheels as represented, for the purpose of attaining speed for driving the fan. A standard is hung to the gallows frame, upon and in an arm (as) projecting from which a shaft (y) plays, the shaft carrying the gearing that corresponds to the gearing on the shaft The fan (1)) is thus made to traverse at a suitably accelerated speed while the dumb waiter rotates at a lesser rate.

It is obvious that the machinery which operates the table may be placed in another room if desired. Also that the revolving table may have small wheels beneath it running in a circular track upon the stationary portion. Such an arrangement would facilitate its application to large tables,. by relieving the running gear from the onus of supporting the waiter, and in such a case the motion might be applied near the circumference of the waiter. There need not be any framing above the table, as the fly fan may proceed from a shaft rising up through the main shaft, and revolving within the latter at a greater speed. The table should be capable of being detained in its course by the waiter in attendance or any one of the guests and. checks may be provided whereby it may be held at rest for any length of time required. The winding up of the machinery may be made if desired to ring a bell to summon the guests. The fans may be made so as to be expandible and contractible. For tables of the smaller kind the motive power may be a spring instead of a weight but any kind of motive power will do, and whether the force by which the apparatus is moved, be that of a spring or that of a weight does not effect my invention one way or the and fan so as to cause them to be self acting other. substantially in the manner and for the Having thus fully described the nature purpose described. of my invention What I claim therein as JOSIAH LAMB. 5 new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent Witnesses:

is GEO. H. KNIGHT,

Arranging and operating a dumb Waiter EDWARD H. KNIGHT. 

